the time scale has been mentioned by president karzai of around 15 years. i wonder whether you thought that was a practical time limit to start pulling troops out and also to have the taliban laydown their arms. >> i don't think that that is what the president's men to. -- meant. the u.s. has added 30,000, other international partners have added 9000. we have increased the tempo of our engagement and we are beginning to see some evidence of reversing the momentum of the taliban. it is necessary in order to provide the conditions for stability and security but it is not sufficient to provide the political environment in which a lasting peace could be negotiated. as you heard it today, we will be pursuing the military action going very aggressively against the taliban, those who are trying to kill our soldiers and civilians and wreak havoc in afghanistan. at the same time, creating an opportunity for taliban who choose to leave the battlefield, renounce violence, renounce al qaeda, agreed to abide by the laws and constitution of afghanistan to enter society.